Dont'a Hightower gets new nickname from New England Patriots owner

The New England Patriots went to lengths to make sure none of the players or coaches got an early look at their championship rings for winning Super Bowl LI. Each ring was locked in a box, awaiting team owner Robert Kraft to reveal the combination.

When he did, Kraft referred to New England linebacker Dont'a Hightower by a new nickname on Saturday night. Kraft called the former Alabama All-American "the Stripper."

The combination to open the boxes was 831. Kraft said the number was doubly meaningful for the Patriots. It was the time left in the third quarter when New England took possession trailing the Atlanta Falcons 28-3 in the Feb. 5 NFL title game. And it was the time left in the fourth quarter, when Hightower stripped the ball from Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan while making a sack.

New England defensive tackle Alan Branch recovered the loose football at the Atlanta 25-yard line with the Patriots down by 16 points. The turnover set up a touchdown and sparked the Patriots to tie the game later in the quarter, leading to a 34-28 overtime victory in Super Bowl LI.

A Pro Bowl selection for the first time in 2016, "The Stripper" will be back with the Patriots in 2017 after choosing to re-sign with the team as a free agent. Hightower joined New England as the 25th player picked in the 2012 NFL Draft. His second NFL contract is a four-year deal worth $35.5 million.

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